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Who Now Owns WWE?

Published in WWE Ownership 2 mins read

WWE is primarily owned by Endeavor, the talent agency that holds the controlling ownership in TKO Group Holdings, Inc., the company formed by the merger of WWE and UFC in 2023.

Following a significant merger in 2023, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) became part of a larger entity known as TKO Group Holdings, Inc. This strategic move brought together two major players in the entertainment and sports world: WWE and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

The Formation of TKO Group Holdings

In a landmark deal, Endeavor, the talent agency that previously owned UFC, spun off UFC to merge with WWE. This merger resulted in the creation of TKO Group Holdings, Inc., a new publicly traded company. The intent behind this consolidation was to create a global sports and entertainment powerhouse, leveraging the strengths of both wrestling and mixed martial arts.

Endeavor's Controlling Stake

As the architect of this merger, Endeavor retains the controlling ownership in TKO Group Holdings. This means that while WWE operates under the TKO umbrella, the ultimate decision-making and strategic direction are largely influenced by Endeavor's leadership. This structure positions WWE within a broader portfolio of entertainment and sports properties managed by Endeavor.

Notable Stockholdings

While Endeavor holds the controlling interest, other significant figures maintain a stake in the newly formed company. For instance, as of the end of September 2024, Vince McMahon, the long-time head and former CEO of WWE, still holds a notable amount of stock, specifically just under 5% of all TKO stock. This illustrates a distributed ownership model within the larger framework controlled by Endeavor.

Ownership Structure at a Glance

Entity/Individual Relationship to TKO/WWE Ownership Details
Endeavor Parent Company Holds controlling ownership in TKO Group Holdings, Inc.
TKO Group Holdings, Inc. Holding Company Formed by the merger of WWE and UFC in 2023.
WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) Operating Subsidiary Now operates as a division under TKO Group Holdings.
Vince McMahon Individual Investor Holds just under 5% of all TKO stock (as of Sept 2024).

This comprehensive structure ensures that while WWE continues its operations, its strategic direction and financial performance are integrated within the broader objectives of TKO Group Holdings, under the primary control of Endeavor.